Originally Posted by dunroving (Post 10956535)

Yes, I find the opposite to be true in urban/suburban areas - in the US, towns seem to be almost immaculately manicured whereas here, there is more litter on the streets and general upkeep seems to be limited. In the US, rural areas seemed to be more run-down, especially in terms of litter. As you say, there is the Adopt a Highway scheme in the US which helps. We (bike club) used to keep a 2-mile stretch free of litter, that was part of our Tuesday night ride route.

Originally Posted by dunroving (Post 10956400)

I used to see a lot of litter in rural TN and NC as I rode my bike around the countryside - although I didn't see much fly-tipping, like I see here (fridges and bags of rubbish). I think overall it was much worse than the rural litter I see here in the UK. In the US, it seemed almost like most people would wind down the window and throw their litter out of the car window,, rather than take it home and put it in the bin.

Originally Posted by Mallory (Post 10956703)

We were in NC last week and saw at least three sets of signs "inmates picking up litter." My hubby pointed out to me the guard at the front of the line, and the guard at the back of the line had shotguns. It was just like the movies! :ohmy:

Originally Posted by dunroving (Post 10955646)

They don't tie them, they just throw them up - they are usually way up in the tops of the trees.

Originally Posted by Pom_Chch (Post 10956761)

Gosh, that reminds me of the days when I was a little sh1t at school. You know when you wet tissue under the tap and chuck it as hard as you can at the ceiling or walls so it sticks. Or was that just me?

Originally Posted by Sally Redux (Post 10956768)

:rofl: Oh, God yes (I didn't personally do it but the ceilings in the toilet were covered with them). For some reason, they were called 'Ernies' :confused:

Originally Posted by Sally Redux (Post 10956768)

:rofl: Oh, God yes (I didn't personally do it but the ceilings in the toilet were covered with them). For some reason, they were called 'Ernies' :confused:

Originally Posted by SultanOfSwing (Post 10956357)

Obviously - chavs, pikeys and white dog turds.

Less flippantly... litter was always actually quite bad, I remember that before I left because I'd walk around a lot. Not that there isn't any litter in the US, but the whole 'adopt a highway' scheme at least means there are people out with their orange bags, picking it up.

But I remember even just walking around town there was a lot of litter by the side of the road, or on the beach. Old manky beer cans, crisp bags, car parts, nappies, the ubiquitous shopping trolley. I even saw a rubber johnny or two :unsure:

So, litter made my corner of the UK crap. Well, that and the rise of Irish republicanism of course.

Originally Posted by windsong (Post 10955089)

Give me the dog poo any day over vile drunk humans acting like savages in the streets - throwing up/puking as someone said earlier - and urinating. Totally disgusting!!!

Originally Posted by Bud the Wiser (Post 10958728)

Just watched a programme called, "Bouncers". Plenty of puking/peeing/fighting and vile drunks. Usual excuse, "There's nothing else to do around here."

What amazed me most though was the 'tanking up' at home before they went out for the night. Most were pi$$ed before they walked out the front door.

Funny quote from a bouncer though, when a drunken half dressed woman tried to get in the club........

"Even the tide wouldn't take her out.":D:D:D:D:D

Originally Posted by chris955 (Post 10954476)

Poo trees
Litter piled high in the streets
Miserable people

Add to the list ;)

Originally Posted by Bud the Wiser (Post 10958998)

I didn't think it was as bad as that, until I did some research.

Originally Posted by brissybee (Post 10959034)

:ohmy:

(I'm shocked by colours worn by woman second from right.)

And please make it all stop.

Originally Posted by pippalonghorn (Post 10957055)

:D I've found all of those things on the beach where I live and it's the other side of the world. :D Every place in the world has crap things about it. I think the welfare system in Britain is crap. It doesn't help those families who work hard but earn low wages. :thumbdown:

Originally Posted by campervanfan (Post 10960391)

just on that last point- I think the system's pretty generous in terms of Tax Credits for instance, especially if raising children...are you aware of them? or are other countries even more generous?